possible problem with a professor... need advice

[Jon Miller]

In my Undergrad:

Physics had classes 5 days a week for most classes. If there was a lab associated, then there would be extra time 1 day a week (or possibly 2 days a week).

Math and the other Sciences has class 4 days a week, generally skipping Wednesday (but could skip another day). There were occasionally classes that met 3 days a week.

English, Philosophy, Economics and all other classes generally met for 3 days a week. Some of these would even meet two days a week (although often the two day a week classes met for more than 1 hour a day).

Most extra things (lab, etc) would meet Monday-Thursday, so Friday was a bit easier.

In graduate school most classes have been 2 or 3 days a week. If they are two days then they generally met for 1.5 hours a day.

Jon Miller
(I have just taken Physics classes in graduate school)

[Jon Miller]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Yeah. Lecturers are the lowest of the low. Above them is adjunct faculty...

One of the few UMD particle theorists (Super Gravity I think) who got a job in academia is a Lecturer (does research in what extra time they have).

In particle theory, I think it is really best to come from Harvard or Priceton or some other such place.

Jon Miller

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse

Blech. Sounds awful. Things are significantly better in physics. It's not a cakewalk, but it's not that bad.

Its a little bit better in big biomed departments that teach undergraduates since you can be awarded tenure through teaching rather than just your luck (and skill) at getting money.

For the most part though it's all about the money.

[KrazyHorse]

Eh. In our department the HE theorists are:

Gabor Domokos, Dubna University Ph.D. (1963)
Adam Falk, (Dean, KSAS ) Harvard University Ph.D. (1991)
Susan Kövesi-Domokos, Eötvös Lorànd University Ph.D. (1963)
Raman Sundrum, Yale University Ph.D. (1990)
David Kaplan, University of Washington Ph.D. (1999)
Jonathan A. Bagger, (Kreiger Eisenhower Professor and Chair) Princeton University Ph.D. (1983)

The only two with active research are Kaplan and Sundrum. Neither came from what are considered the "top 5" particle schools...

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by Jon Miller


There are Lecturers here also. They are generally not at all considered for a position.

JM

Its one of those things where the same word is used differently in the US vs UK. I havent seen many lecturer positions here but they seem to be a 'small bone' thrown to an experienced scientist who the dept wants to keep (to do the scut work usually) but who hasnt got the money/clout to demand a real position. They are technically faculty but they are not tenure earning positions. OTOH, I've known lecturers from the UK with more than 100 publications who're waiting for those above them to die.

[Jon Miller]

Yeah, I agree that they appear to mean different things. It is generally a way to pay for someone who can't get a grant.

I thought that at research institutions here you need to bring in the money in physics also. At least, that is what osme of my post doc freinds have said.

JM

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Jon Miller
Yeah, I agree that they appear to mean different things. It is generally a way to pay for someone who can't get a grant.

I thought that at research institutions here you need to bring in the money in physics also. At least, that is what osme of my post doc freinds have said.

JM

AFAIK, not necessarily true in theory.

(I mean theoretical physics)

[SpencerH]

I can see the grant application now.

Major equipment: paper, pencils, brain.

It'd cost more for the application than the grant was worth.

[Jon Miller]

Originally posted by SpencerH
I can see the grant application now.

Major equipment: paper, pencils, brain.

It'd cost more for the application than the grant was worth.

Generally professors are expected to get 2 months of support here, I think.

JM

[Jon Miller]

And computational time and students both require funding.

JM

[KrazyHorse]

In my department all the HE theorists share one grant. They all hire postdocs together. The summer RAships are also paid out a general fund, computers bought, etc. During the academic year grad students are paid out of TAships.

[Jon Miller]

Yeah, it is TAships (except for the most senior) at my institution too.

Part (minor part) of the reason I didn't continue in that field.

JM
(I admit that I will probably regret that choice if they don't find the Higgs at the CERN)

[SpencerH]

I was being facetious.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Jon Miller
Yeah, it is TAships (except for the most senior) at my institution too.

Part (minor part) of the reason I didn't continue in that field.

JM
(I admit that I will probably regret that choice if they don't find the Higgs at the CERN)

Even if they do it's probably going to be weirder than just standard Higgs. They should have already found it...

[Jon Miller]

I thought there was a bit of room for a standard Higgs left. Like 20 MeV?? more on the mass. It has been a long time since I have thought about this stuff.

Jon Miller